I don’t think any extensively save-scummed (be it to get the “perfect starting roster” or ensure flawless victories) game can or should be used as a parameter for game balance adjustments. There’s no point in trying to balance a game whose mechanics the player will be constantly fudging in order to get the best possible result. It’s tantamount to cheating, and it’s not the game’s responsibility if the resulting experience feels too easy.
It’s fair to say the game should be primarily balanced around Veteran, and the assumption that players accept their losses and roll with the punches, so to speak.
